Breath of the Wild: 10 Best Early-Game Weapons New Players Need

For much of its passionate fanbase, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild shines as a major evolutionary step in the storied Zelda series, and it’s seemingly only going to get better with the anticipated Breath of the Wild sequel. When it comes to this enchanting adventure, having an arsenal of stout, reliable weapons at hand is crucial for players. This is especially the case given the tendency of most to regularly break.

In the beginning parts of the game, particularly when Link is confined to the Great Plateau region, the experience is more akin to a fight for survival than a hero’s journey. Little seems to be available to Link amid the vast, unknown wilderness of post-Calamity Hyrule. Thankfully, there is a slew of weapons that can be collected with relative ease, some of which can even be obtained in the game’s opening hours.

10 Double Axe

This trusty axe checks most of the boxes when it comes to ideal weapons to wield early on. It’s fairly simple to use, moderate in terms of strength with an 18 base power stat, and is highly durable to boot. Not only this, but it’s multifunctional. In addition to killing monsters, players can use it to chop down some of the many trees scattered about Hyrule.

This useful tool is dropped from monsters most commonly in West Necluda and Gerudo Highlands, the former of which can be reached pretty early in the game.

9 Eightfold Blade

Being located just south of Hyrule Field in West Lecluda and Lake Hylia, the Eightfold Blade can be secured with relatively little time invested. Crafted from Breath of the Wild‘s reliable Sheikah technology, this Eastern-style sword is a great option after venturing past the Great Plateau.

Though not the powerhouse it was once thought to be among Hyrule inhabitants, it can still get the job done with a base power of 15 and a great durability rating of 26.

8 Forked Lizal Spear

As Breath of the Wild adventurers know, Lizals are a fairly common enemy from an early stage in the game. These tall, bipedal lizards can cause some problems for Link if players aren’t prepared, though they can also yield some potent weapons when slain.

While they more often drop the tepid, fragile Lizal Spears in their basic form, they also sometimes yield the more stout forked variants. These are useful in a pinch, as they not only inflict 18 damage, but they also have decent range, allowing Link to skew foes from a safe distance. They can typically be had in Eldin Canyon, Akkala Highlands, and Rutile Lake.

7 Lizal Boomerang

Though its base power stands at a meager 10, the Lizal Boomerang is a handy, versatile tool to have at one’s disposal. It can, of course, be treated as a ranged weapon and flung at unsuspecting foes. Additionally, it can also be wielded like a curved sword and swung as a single-handed melee weapon.

What’s more, this weapon is rather easy to come by. It often drops from the common Lizalfos within the Lanayru Wetlands, which doesn’t require much traveling from Breath of the Wild‘s starting area, the Great Plateau.

6 Soldier’s Bow

When it comes to ranged weapons, it’s hard to beat the sharp-shooting and reliability of a good bow, especially for a practiced archer like Link. The aptly named Soldier’s Bow is a good option to shoot for. While there are certainly more potent bows out there, this is one of the better ranged weapons that can be had in Breath of the Wild‘s early goings.

Its base power is a respectable 14, and it boasts a solid durability of 36. The best part is that it shouldn’t take much time or effort to seek out, as these weapons drop from various enemies roaming Hyrule Field as well as the Faron Grasslands.

5 Spiked Moblin Club

Moblins are common foes (and usually pesky ones) that lurk just about everywhere in Hyrule. While they often yield more tepid weapons, they sometimes give up the prickly Spiked Moblin Club. These are really a cut above the default Moblin Clubs. The pointed animal bones affixed to them bump up their damage, granting them a base power of 27 and respectable durability of 18.

The Spiked Moblin Club can make a real impact, especially for a wooden weapon. They can most commonly be had from the Blue Moblins that roam Hyrule Field and the Akkala Highlands.

4 Soldier’s Broadsword

Wielded by the brave warriors who once defended Hyrule Castle, there’s a degree of legend attached to this blade along with its offensive ability. Of course, this weapon is no Master Sword, but it will get the job done in the early and middle phases of the game.

This steel sword pierces foes with 14 base power, and as an added bonus, players can hurl it at an enemy for 28 damage (at which point it breaks). Like most steel objects, the Soldier’s Broadsword also responds to Link’s Magnesis Rune and conducts lightning if used in a storm.

3 Knight’s Bow

Traveling a moderate distance west of the Great Plateau will present Link with chances to obtain this strong, durable bow. Specifically, enemies residing in Tabantha Frontier and Gerudo Desert will sometimes drop them.

With this stout, ranged weapon, the hero of Hyrule can possess the bow once wielded by the knights of Hyrule Castle. Being crafted from metal, the Knight’s Bow is very durable but will attract lightning if Link is caught in a storm. It can convincingly pick off enemies with its 26 base power.

2 Ancient Battle Axe

Early in the game, Link can’t do much against the Legend of Zelda nightmare-fuel enemies called Guardians other than stun them and flee. These large, ominous foes can obliterate the hero in one or two blasts, even as the game progresses.

As it happens, though, the smaller, less threatening Guardian Scout II can be met fairly early in the game, and they can produce great weapons to boot. They await Link within the “Minor Test of Strength” Ancient Shrines, some of which can be reached not too long after starting the game. Among the weapons they drop is this luminous axe, which, while not the most durable of weapons, inflicts ample damage with its 30 base strength.

1 Master Sword

While there are in fact stronger weapons in the game, it’s hard to find a weapon that’s all-around efficient as Link’s iconic Master Sword. The perk of it never breaking gives it immense added value on its own, even when factoring in its 10-minute recharge. Add its attack power of 30 (which doubles when facing Calamity foes) and the Master Sword is a surefire pick. But can it really be had early on?

As it happens, Breath of the Wild players can obtain the legendary Master Sword quickly in the game. The only catch is they’ll need to explot a glitch to do so.

About The Author

Stephen Lagioia
(250 Articles Published)

Stephen is an avid Nintendo, Indie, and retro gamer who dabbles in Xbox on occasion, mainly in the form of binge sessions of Overwatch. He’s a history buff, an aspiring writer of short fiction, and a devout metalhead who enjoys poorly drumming along to Black Sabbath on his cheap drum set. When his beloved Chicago Cubs or Bulls are not playing, he typically likes to watch random documentaries or campy horror films.

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